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Sancti Trilogy #3
The Tower
After the rise comes the fall
When a cyber-attack at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland disables the Hubble telescope and the Nobel Prize-winning scientist in charge disappears, the only clues left behind are a cryptic countdown clock and a chilling message displayed on the missing man's computer: Mankind Must Look No Further.
Newly appointed FBI agent Joe Shepherd, a former academic star with degrees in astrophysics and computer science, is uniquely qualified to handle the investigation, but he is also hiding some secrets of his own. He discovers a note in the missing scientist's handwriting that reads "end of days" and further evidence linking the cyber-attack to a series of strange events from eight months earlier—an explosion at the Citadel, an ancient monastery in Turkey; the deadly viral outbreak that occurred in its wake; and the disappearance of an American journalist named Liv Adamsen and ex–special forces operative Gabriel Mann.
Liv has been trapped in the Syrian Desert, a prisoner of the prophecy that drove her there and now whispers of terrible things to come. Gabriel, infected and tormented by the deadly virus he carried out of the Citadel, is desperate to return before it spreads.
Shepherd's investigation takes him on a journey to the secrets at the very edge of the universe and also deep into his own past as the countdown clock continues and extraordinary events begin to manifest around the globe—animals migrating out of season, extreme weather battering the planet, people deserting the cities as they answer a growing urge to return to their original homes. In this exhilarating conclusion to the internationally bestselling Ruin trilogy, one woman's destiny weaves the past and present together in a way that will change the future for us all. But what is the "end of days" and what does it really mean for humankind—will it be revelation or devastation?
When a cyber-attack at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland disables the Hubble telescope and the Nobel Prize-winning scientist in charge disappears, the only clues left behind are a cryptic countdown clock and a chilling message displayed on the missing man's computer: Mankind Must Look No Further.
Newly appointed FBI agent Joe Shepherd, a former academic star with degrees in astrophysics and computer science, is uniquely qualified to handle the investigation, but he is also hiding some secrets of his own. He discovers a note in the missing scientist's handwriting that reads "end of days" and further evidence linking the cyber-attack to a series of strange events from eight months earlier—an explosion at the Citadel, an ancient monastery in Turkey; the deadly viral outbreak that occurred in its wake; and the disappearance of an American journalist named Liv Adamsen and ex–special forces operative Gabriel Mann.
Liv has been trapped in the Syrian Desert, a prisoner of the prophecy that drove her there and now whispers of terrible things to come. Gabriel, infected and tormented by the deadly virus he carried out of the Citadel, is desperate to return before it spreads.
Shepherd's investigation takes him on a journey to the secrets at the very edge of the universe and also deep into his own past as the countdown clock continues and extraordinary events begin to manifest around the globe—animals migrating out of season, extreme weather battering the planet, people deserting the cities as they answer a growing urge to return to their original homes. In this exhilarating conclusion to the internationally bestselling Ruin trilogy, one woman's destiny weaves the past and present together in a way that will change the future for us all. But what is the "end of days" and what does it really mean for humankind—will it be revelation or devastation?
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
153 people are currently reading
1950 people want to read
About the author
Simon Toyne
30 books792 followersSimon Toyne was born February 29th, 1968 in Cleethorpes, England, but spent his formative years in Peterborough. He moved further south, to Goldsmiths College, part of the University of London, to study English and Drama then ended up working as a producer, director in commercial television for almost twenty years.
He quit in 2007, just shy of his fortieth birthday, to try and focus more on writing. His first book, Sanctus, became the biggest selling debut thriller of 2011 in the UK and also an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages and published in over 50 countries.
Simon lives with his wife and three children and splits his time between Brighton, the South of France and various cafes and bookshops in between and wherever his books are sold.
He quit in 2007, just shy of his fortieth birthday, to try and focus more on writing. His first book, Sanctus, became the biggest selling debut thriller of 2011 in the UK and also an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages and published in over 50 countries.
Simon lives with his wife and three children and splits his time between Brighton, the South of France and various cafes and bookshops in between and wherever his books are sold.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
August 2, 2021
Dissapointing conclusion to the Santus Trilogy.
An ok read but the book has major problems, too many to list so I will just touch on the books biggest failing.
After spending two books getting us to care for the 2 main characters (Liv and Gabriel)- in this concluding book they are completely sidelined into very minor characters and we are introduced to a completly new character who will now be the focus of the book.
An ok read but the book has major problems, too many to list so I will just touch on the books biggest failing.
After spending two books getting us to care for the 2 main characters (Liv and Gabriel)- in this concluding book they are completely sidelined into very minor characters and we are introduced to a completly new character who will now be the focus of the book.
April 22, 2013
And here endeth the lesson in how to write a really good religious conspiracy thriller, as The Tower brings to a close this excellent trilogy. Beginning with Sanctus and The Key, this final instalment instantly propels you back into the world so succinctly and powerfully portrayed in the first two books. I instantly took to these books, despite my original and somewhat cynical poo-pooing of this genre, thanks to the scars left by reading other less effective authors of this kind of fare. I can safely say that I had no such qualms as having read Sanctus in pretty much one sitting, and then champing at the bit for The Key, I awaited this closing book with a sense of anticipation and it did not disappoint…
Trying to avoid spoilers for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the full trilogy, The Tower draws on the perilous and unresolved events at the end of the previous books, with the present time juxtaposed with a catch-up on events eight months previously until the two timelines converge. As our erstwhile hero Gabriel grapples with a torturous journey back to the sinister auspices of The Citadel at Ruin (the predominant setting of the first two books), our heroine Liv is left to deal with the increasingly bizarre events in a desert wilderness as an ancient prophecy begins to gather muster, heralding the possible End of Days. In the present timeline there are some devilish deeds going on within the confines of NASA with the sabotage of two major space exploration programmes at the hands of what appears to be religious fantics, but is there more to it than meets the eye and are there greater powers at work? It falls to a rookie FBI agent and his surly superior to unravel the mystery leading to a denoeument linking all the characters and interlocking plot threads together.
Other reviewers have commented on the slower build-up of this book and I can see their point, but I actually enjoyed this sense of the plot gathering a momentum, and felt my own tension for the characters ratcheting up at the same speed, also noticing my reading speed increased substantially as the book reached its conclusion, so found this all rather clever. I must confess that I found the NASA plot utterly fascinating and enjoyed the fruits of Toyne’s research into this particular field of science and technology, enjoying the exploration of the age old argument of science vs religion as the plot unfolded. With this new plotline set predominantly in America, and the skilful interweaving of the pre-existing locations and story from the first two books, fear not if you have come to this series anew with this book, as the back story is coherently referred to throughout so you won’t miss anything. On the strength of this one alone the impetus will be there to seek out the other two books post haste!
I think one of the major strengths of this series has been the excellent standard of characterisation, and although The Tower gives Toyne the chance to further flesh out some familiar figures, the introduction of some new faces further illustrates his adept hand at this. I particularly took to newly qualified FBI Agent Joe Shepherd and his boss Special Agent Benjamin Franklin and the nature of their professional relationship with the seeds of distrust between them sown by some unspoken secrets of Shepherd’s past. There was a real depth and believability to their working and personal interactions and bolstered by the existing strength of the recurring characters, I was completely drawn into these people’s lives and tribulations as the plot played out. There is usually an inherent failing within this genre of matching the strength of characterisation to the needs of the conspiracy thriller pace and plotting, but Toyne experiences no such problems in balancing the needs of both with an assured grip throughout.
In conclusion then, I would highly recommend The Tower, be it as a conclusion to you having read Sanctus and The Key or equally if this is your first foray into Toyne’s writing. An exceptional thriller that left me with a slight wistful air that the series was now finished. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Trying to avoid spoilers for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the full trilogy, The Tower draws on the perilous and unresolved events at the end of the previous books, with the present time juxtaposed with a catch-up on events eight months previously until the two timelines converge. As our erstwhile hero Gabriel grapples with a torturous journey back to the sinister auspices of The Citadel at Ruin (the predominant setting of the first two books), our heroine Liv is left to deal with the increasingly bizarre events in a desert wilderness as an ancient prophecy begins to gather muster, heralding the possible End of Days. In the present timeline there are some devilish deeds going on within the confines of NASA with the sabotage of two major space exploration programmes at the hands of what appears to be religious fantics, but is there more to it than meets the eye and are there greater powers at work? It falls to a rookie FBI agent and his surly superior to unravel the mystery leading to a denoeument linking all the characters and interlocking plot threads together.
Other reviewers have commented on the slower build-up of this book and I can see their point, but I actually enjoyed this sense of the plot gathering a momentum, and felt my own tension for the characters ratcheting up at the same speed, also noticing my reading speed increased substantially as the book reached its conclusion, so found this all rather clever. I must confess that I found the NASA plot utterly fascinating and enjoyed the fruits of Toyne’s research into this particular field of science and technology, enjoying the exploration of the age old argument of science vs religion as the plot unfolded. With this new plotline set predominantly in America, and the skilful interweaving of the pre-existing locations and story from the first two books, fear not if you have come to this series anew with this book, as the back story is coherently referred to throughout so you won’t miss anything. On the strength of this one alone the impetus will be there to seek out the other two books post haste!
I think one of the major strengths of this series has been the excellent standard of characterisation, and although The Tower gives Toyne the chance to further flesh out some familiar figures, the introduction of some new faces further illustrates his adept hand at this. I particularly took to newly qualified FBI Agent Joe Shepherd and his boss Special Agent Benjamin Franklin and the nature of their professional relationship with the seeds of distrust between them sown by some unspoken secrets of Shepherd’s past. There was a real depth and believability to their working and personal interactions and bolstered by the existing strength of the recurring characters, I was completely drawn into these people’s lives and tribulations as the plot played out. There is usually an inherent failing within this genre of matching the strength of characterisation to the needs of the conspiracy thriller pace and plotting, but Toyne experiences no such problems in balancing the needs of both with an assured grip throughout.
In conclusion then, I would highly recommend The Tower, be it as a conclusion to you having read Sanctus and The Key or equally if this is your first foray into Toyne’s writing. An exceptional thriller that left me with a slight wistful air that the series was now finished. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
April 23, 2016
Like the first two books in the trilogy the conclusion is fast paced and keeps you entertained from the beginning until the end. However, sadly, I will say that like the second book in the trilogy I found myself somewhat annoyed by predictable moments that I managed to work out well in advance. As a whole it was a great conclusion to the series – I was not at all disappointed – I simply expected better twists and turns to appear at certain points, much like what we saw in the first book.
As a conclusion to the trilogy, this books flickers between two points in time: our story is told through the perspective of a newly introduced FBI agent and the characters from the past two books. As the FBI agent works his way towards the answers we’re given insights into what has been happening over the last eight months for our characters from the last two books, the story unfolding along two lines for us. As with the other books it is highly entertaining, getting a tight grip on you quickly. If you have read the first two books then it is a must that you read this one and find out how the story ends.
As a conclusion to the trilogy, this books flickers between two points in time: our story is told through the perspective of a newly introduced FBI agent and the characters from the past two books. As the FBI agent works his way towards the answers we’re given insights into what has been happening over the last eight months for our characters from the last two books, the story unfolding along two lines for us. As with the other books it is highly entertaining, getting a tight grip on you quickly. If you have read the first two books then it is a must that you read this one and find out how the story ends.
August 23, 2017
Atunci cand se termina ceva, altceva nou incepe.
January 2, 2025
✨️It's an epic conclusion to the Sanctus trilogy! A mixture again of myth, religion, and science blended into real-life events culminating in an 'end of days ' era but not what you think. Felt the ending was a tiny tiny bit rushed considering how long the main story was to get through, but overall, a fantastic and thought-provoking read.
🔭🌌🌄💉🌴
🔭🌌🌄💉🌴
July 17, 2014
Real tough one to review is the crux of it......
The opening 100pgs are really very good, plenty of action & at the nub of the mystery, all is unfolding & lots of Oh yeah....! Sound! moments, and it's here that the short chapters style works but.... it jus becomes relentless & before long yer halfway through the book & not a lot is going on to warrant this short choppy style & its a real draaaaag - i think ive been here before as well with this trilogy too - so more fool me with sticking it out I know.
New characters emerge too, which have "some" relevance but in reality there story could have been left out & this all wrapped up sooner - i did skipread a lot from about pg 300, only really following the protagonists from the first stories which I enjoyed as they played out their stories. It builds towards the end as it all comes together & then the REVEAL....... was that it? No surely after neraly 1450pgs that cant be it..... as I skipread to the end. NO WAY! I stuck with that for that ending......
Incredibly frustrating read as it's one yer likely to stick with IF you pick it up as IT IS very good in parts.
Its like 24 (which I only watched 1 episode of) full of cutting from 1 scene to another in order to generate impetus into a story which inevitibly plateaus due to its false tempo/style of writing.
I know I give it a 3 but really I cant recommend this in all honesty.
The opening 100pgs are really very good, plenty of action & at the nub of the mystery, all is unfolding & lots of Oh yeah....! Sound! moments, and it's here that the short chapters style works but.... it jus becomes relentless & before long yer halfway through the book & not a lot is going on to warrant this short choppy style & its a real draaaaag - i think ive been here before as well with this trilogy too - so more fool me with sticking it out I know.
New characters emerge too, which have "some" relevance but in reality there story could have been left out & this all wrapped up sooner - i did skipread a lot from about pg 300, only really following the protagonists from the first stories which I enjoyed as they played out their stories. It builds towards the end as it all comes together & then the REVEAL....... was that it? No surely after neraly 1450pgs that cant be it..... as I skipread to the end. NO WAY! I stuck with that for that ending......
Incredibly frustrating read as it's one yer likely to stick with IF you pick it up as IT IS very good in parts.
Its like 24 (which I only watched 1 episode of) full of cutting from 1 scene to another in order to generate impetus into a story which inevitibly plateaus due to its false tempo/style of writing.
I know I give it a 3 but really I cant recommend this in all honesty.
December 27, 2021
Why was this book so good?!?!? At the beginning I was confused and it was a bit slow, but once I understood more what was happening, it flew by. I haven’t read an action/sci fi book in a while, and this was a perfect book to break up what I usually read. It did a great job of telling me enough for me to keep up with the plot, but also keeping some things unknown so that I kept wanting to read more. Also liked how the chapters were so short it made the book go by super fast. Shout out anabel for lending this to me will return asap sorry I took it for many months 😬😬😬
July 17, 2018
As per my expectation. Sesuai harapan. Trilogi sangat menarik. Tema berat namun disajikan agak ringan. Nggak menyesal baca buku ini, tp hrs dr buku pertama, lho.
May 4, 2020
I enjoyed this trilogy. For those who like The DaVinci code books
January 21, 2015
I survived..... oh God, I thought I was going to die of boredom. I really expected more from this book. Sanctus was interesting, The Key was so-so(a bit annoying) and I expected for this one to a little more packed with dynamic. With every book there was less and less dynamic and everything was in slow motion. There was nothing going on in the beginning(the first 100 pages) besides the missing professor. It just wasn't intruiging and there weren't any hints to keep you on your toes so you would want to go on. No!!! It was infuriating and utterly boring -.-'
The cover says for lovers of Dan Brown. Well, next time I'm in library, I'm going to borrow a book written by Dan Brown so that I can compare it to this one because if the movies made by Brown's books are half as good as the books, that is already 100 percent better than this one!!!
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The cover says for lovers of Dan Brown. Well, next time I'm in library, I'm going to borrow a book written by Dan Brown so that I can compare it to this one because if the movies made by Brown's books are half as good as the books, that is already 100 percent better than this one!!!
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January 5, 2018
I've loved the Sanctus trilogy - hugely evocative and atmospheric mystery thrillers, centered around the most ancient city of Ruin, at the heart of which lies the Citadel. This final novel is a little different, balancing the stories of familiar figures in the Middle East with a different quest by new characters in the United States. It all comes together almost perfectly. The sad news, though, is that this is it. I'm grateful to Simon Toyne for these three novels. Each has brought me so much pleasure. And all those comparisons with Dan Brown? Ignore them, Simon Toyne is infinitely better.
May 19, 2013
The third, and final, in the unfolding tale of the Key and the Sanctus. Whilst I enjoyed the story, and liked being able to have a firm conclusion to the book, it lacked the excitement and complexity of the two previous books.
Worth reading to find out what happens to the heroes, and indeed, civilisation and the world, but whilst I am sure it is intended to make you think about your life, it left me when I finished the last chapter and I have given it little thought since.
Disappointing end to the trilogy but have a read if you have read the other two.
Worth reading to find out what happens to the heroes, and indeed, civilisation and the world, but whilst I am sure it is intended to make you think about your life, it left me when I finished the last chapter and I have given it little thought since.
Disappointing end to the trilogy but have a read if you have read the other two.
August 20, 2015
I found The Tower to be an exciting ending to an excellent trilogy. I loved all the characters (good and bad) and the plot kept me turning the pages. The books are all entertaining adventure reads with a different take on religious themes. Simon Toyne knows how to draw you into the story and make you feel as if you are right there living the story. Although they can be read separately, your enjoyment will be greater if you read them in order. I am anxiously awaiting his next book.
February 5, 2023
Finally done with this series. For some reason, I never feel motivated to read the first 2 thirds of these books, but the last third, I read straight through in one session, says something about how well the author is able to build anticipation for the ending I guess. Maybe the lack of motivation is because this book is a style I'm not used too, it's not sci-fi or fantasy, or even historical, its modern, and without any superpowers, and I guess I was a bit bored, but reading this series helped open up my eyes to this style of book, and so maybe I can read more like this in the future.
One of the big things in this book was religion, and I feel that it was done well. One of the big things for me, was that one of the most basic premises in this book was fiction, basically the Citadel, Ruin, Sactii, and that allowed me to actually approach all the religious aspects in this book as fiction, not Christianity in general, but some of the more radical and made up views. It turned the book from possible conspiracy theory, to interesting fiction. The author put in the effort, and there were some spots where he visibly studied what he was going to talk about, especially in relation to the medical and astronomy/space telescope fields, which always adds a good element to the book.
Overall, I absolutely loved this series, sad that it's over, but ready to head to my next read.
One of the big things in this book was religion, and I feel that it was done well. One of the big things for me, was that one of the most basic premises in this book was fiction, basically the Citadel, Ruin, Sactii, and that allowed me to actually approach all the religious aspects in this book as fiction, not Christianity in general, but some of the more radical and made up views. It turned the book from possible conspiracy theory, to interesting fiction. The author put in the effort, and there were some spots where he visibly studied what he was going to talk about, especially in relation to the medical and astronomy/space telescope fields, which always adds a good element to the book.
Overall, I absolutely loved this series, sad that it's over, but ready to head to my next read.
January 12, 2023
The Tower. It was fine. It was ok. I agree with other reviewers who have said that reading pace increased as your got through the book which suggests an increase excitement or tension. I also agree with other reviewers who say that previously key characters were marginalised to quite peripheral storylines and although characters old and new converged, eventually, I found the final round up all a bit….. well….. meh, like “so what?” I even found the point when a pair of miscreants were dealt with to be all a bit quickly resolved in a face-off; perhaps that’s real life though.
I think I was quite happy leaving the story at the end of book 2. This was ok, hence the three stars, but I’m not convinced it added enough to make the sequel become part of a trilogy.
Simon Toyne’s Solomon Creed books though are a different gravy. Looking forward to any future novels there.
I think I was quite happy leaving the story at the end of book 2. This was ok, hence the three stars, but I’m not convinced it added enough to make the sequel become part of a trilogy.
Simon Toyne’s Solomon Creed books though are a different gravy. Looking forward to any future novels there.
November 23, 2021
The best book ever
April 21, 2024
Excellant series
July 7, 2019
Easy to read but unconvincing.
April 1, 2024
Entertaining, suspenseful read, if a bit predictable at times. Didn't know it was part of a series but reads fine on its own.
May 28, 2025
Very clever and poinient story I so wish it were true. An extremely exciting read👍
December 30, 2024
Solid end to the trilogy.
Same style of the first two and keeps you captured on the journey.
Same style of the first two and keeps you captured on the journey.
June 11, 2013
First of all I should disclose that I am a Simon Toyne fan. He captivated me with the first book of his trilogy, Sanctus. The notion of an underground movement to release the Goddess into our male dominated world I found to be truly original. The idea became more and more plausible as Mr. Toyne continued his story into the second book The Key. By the time I finished reading this second installment, I couldn’t believe I was expected to wait for the author to finish writing the third and for it to be released by the publisher. By this time I had become such a Toyne addict that when I learned The Tower would be available in the UK six weeks before the US, I ordered the UK edition. Now that the final installment is available in the US, I feel a bit smug at having read it before the rest of Toyne’s American audience.
I don’t want to create a spoiler here, so I will simply quote the synopsis from the dust jacket:
“The forbidden Citadel at the heart of the ancient Turkish city of Ruin opens its gates for the first time in history. Why now, after centuries of secrecy?
“A deadly disease has erupted within, and threatens to spread beyond its walls. Infected charity worker Gabriel Mann may hold the cure –but can one dying man stop an epidemic?
“Without him Liv Adamsen, a former journalist, is vulnerable, surrounded by strangers in the desert oasis that is her new home. Liv, however, has far bigger concerns than just her own life…
“In the USA, newly qualified FBI agent Joe Shepherd investigates the disappearance of NASA’s most senior professor. Is it a vanishing act, or something darker? Shepherd’s investigation approaches a powerful conspiracy with a global reach, and profound consequences.
“For them all, this much is clear: something big is coming. Something that will change everything. But will it be a new beginning or The End of Days?”
Mr. Toyne’s books are not the garden variety mysteries. There are no old ladies or self-possessed inspectors here. Instead, his story germinates from a part of the world most of us have not visited, the interior of Turkey. The spark that sets everything into action is the suicide of an American monk who resided at a monastery called The Citadel. Even the name foreshadows the battle to come. This, however, is also not your typical Church conspiracy puzzle involving the Knights Templar, Messianic bloodlines or Masonic mysteries. This is a full-blown, action packed power struggle.
The adage is ‘knowledge is power.’ The monks of the Citadel have amassed a library of the entire world’s knowledge which is off limits to all but the members of a particular rank of the hierarchy, and certainly closed to the outside world. The hierarchy wields such power that there is no conflict or strife or disease within the confines of the monastery. All are devoted to The Sacrament even though only the top echelon knows or understands what it is. Once the sacrament is released into the world, circumstances change. A mysterious plague is unleashed and all available resources are engaged to recover it. Allegiances shift like desert sand leaving the reader to wonder who the good guys are. In true fashion of the genre, readers are given the ah-ha at the end.
I have two complaints I would lodge against Mr. Toyne. The first is that his books are such page-turners nearly 500 pages don’t last very long. The second is that I will have to go to readers rehab now that this series has come to an end.
I don’t want to create a spoiler here, so I will simply quote the synopsis from the dust jacket:
“The forbidden Citadel at the heart of the ancient Turkish city of Ruin opens its gates for the first time in history. Why now, after centuries of secrecy?
“A deadly disease has erupted within, and threatens to spread beyond its walls. Infected charity worker Gabriel Mann may hold the cure –but can one dying man stop an epidemic?
“Without him Liv Adamsen, a former journalist, is vulnerable, surrounded by strangers in the desert oasis that is her new home. Liv, however, has far bigger concerns than just her own life…
“In the USA, newly qualified FBI agent Joe Shepherd investigates the disappearance of NASA’s most senior professor. Is it a vanishing act, or something darker? Shepherd’s investigation approaches a powerful conspiracy with a global reach, and profound consequences.
“For them all, this much is clear: something big is coming. Something that will change everything. But will it be a new beginning or The End of Days?”
Mr. Toyne’s books are not the garden variety mysteries. There are no old ladies or self-possessed inspectors here. Instead, his story germinates from a part of the world most of us have not visited, the interior of Turkey. The spark that sets everything into action is the suicide of an American monk who resided at a monastery called The Citadel. Even the name foreshadows the battle to come. This, however, is also not your typical Church conspiracy puzzle involving the Knights Templar, Messianic bloodlines or Masonic mysteries. This is a full-blown, action packed power struggle.
The adage is ‘knowledge is power.’ The monks of the Citadel have amassed a library of the entire world’s knowledge which is off limits to all but the members of a particular rank of the hierarchy, and certainly closed to the outside world. The hierarchy wields such power that there is no conflict or strife or disease within the confines of the monastery. All are devoted to The Sacrament even though only the top echelon knows or understands what it is. Once the sacrament is released into the world, circumstances change. A mysterious plague is unleashed and all available resources are engaged to recover it. Allegiances shift like desert sand leaving the reader to wonder who the good guys are. In true fashion of the genre, readers are given the ah-ha at the end.
I have two complaints I would lodge against Mr. Toyne. The first is that his books are such page-turners nearly 500 pages don’t last very long. The second is that I will have to go to readers rehab now that this series has come to an end.
July 14, 2015
"Nulla dura in eterno,ma nulla scompare mai completamente.
Si trasforma semplicemente in qualcosa di diverso..."
La Torre di Ruin è un thriller a sfondo storico/religioso che mi ha lontanamente ricordato i libri di Dan Brown.
La narrazione si snoda in due parti: da una parte siamo nel presente in America, dove l'FBI sta indagando su degli attacchi terroristici sospetti ai danni di alcuni tra i più rari centri di osservazione astronomica al mondo. Prima è toccato all'Hubble, dirottato sulla Terra e non più verso le stelle, seguito da un inquietante messaggio: L'umanità non deve vedere oltre. A indagare sul caso saranno gli agenti Franklin e Shepherd che in una corsa contro il tempo cercheranno di venire a capo dell'enigma mentre nel mondo accadono eventi inspiegabili.
Contemporaneamente seguiamo gli eventi accaduti 8 mesi prima, quando Liv si ritrova sola in mezzo al deserto accusata di aver distrutto le fonti petrolifere, mentre Gabriel,che mostra i primi sintomi di una terribile malattia,tenta di tornare alla Cittadella per fare in modo che l'epidemia non si propaghi...
Ho letto questo romanzo in poco tempo catturata completamente dalla storia e dal ritmo adrenalinico con cui si sviluppa!
Le vicende narrate in questo romanzo iniziano immediatamente dopo la fine del precedente volume della trilogia, quindi è indispensabile aver letto i precedenti romanzi per avere una comprensione più completa degli eventi.
L'autore narra la vicenda attraverso due filoni narrativi, uno nel presente e uno nel passato, punti di vista che vanno man mano ad avvicinarsi e poi ad unirsi quando ci si avvicina al finale della storia.
La storia narrata è estremamente intrigante, ben strutturata e ricca di colpi di scena che tengono alta l'attenzione del lettore e impediscono di mettere giù il libro! I capitoli scorrono velocissimi man mano che ci si addentra nella storia e si cerca di dipanare il mistero che ne è il fulcro.
Oltre alla storia ben scritta credo che un punto di forza del romanzo siano i personaggi. Spesso in romanzi come questo, un po' alla Dan Brown, i personaggi fanno semplicemente da sfondo alla vicenda, invece in questo caso essi sono parte integrante della storia, inoltre sono caratterizzati benissimo e questo contribuisce alla buona riuscita del romanzo!
Ho apprezzato moltissimo la piega che hanno preso gli eventi e il modo in cui l'autore è riuscito a spiegare perfettamente tutti i misteri e gli eventi inspiegabili che avvengono nel corso della storia. Un romanzo adrenalinico, ricco di misteri e avventura, un degno finale per un'interessante trilogia!
Si trasforma semplicemente in qualcosa di diverso..."
La Torre di Ruin è un thriller a sfondo storico/religioso che mi ha lontanamente ricordato i libri di Dan Brown.
La narrazione si snoda in due parti: da una parte siamo nel presente in America, dove l'FBI sta indagando su degli attacchi terroristici sospetti ai danni di alcuni tra i più rari centri di osservazione astronomica al mondo. Prima è toccato all'Hubble, dirottato sulla Terra e non più verso le stelle, seguito da un inquietante messaggio: L'umanità non deve vedere oltre. A indagare sul caso saranno gli agenti Franklin e Shepherd che in una corsa contro il tempo cercheranno di venire a capo dell'enigma mentre nel mondo accadono eventi inspiegabili.
Contemporaneamente seguiamo gli eventi accaduti 8 mesi prima, quando Liv si ritrova sola in mezzo al deserto accusata di aver distrutto le fonti petrolifere, mentre Gabriel,che mostra i primi sintomi di una terribile malattia,tenta di tornare alla Cittadella per fare in modo che l'epidemia non si propaghi...
Ho letto questo romanzo in poco tempo catturata completamente dalla storia e dal ritmo adrenalinico con cui si sviluppa!
Le vicende narrate in questo romanzo iniziano immediatamente dopo la fine del precedente volume della trilogia, quindi è indispensabile aver letto i precedenti romanzi per avere una comprensione più completa degli eventi.
L'autore narra la vicenda attraverso due filoni narrativi, uno nel presente e uno nel passato, punti di vista che vanno man mano ad avvicinarsi e poi ad unirsi quando ci si avvicina al finale della storia.
La storia narrata è estremamente intrigante, ben strutturata e ricca di colpi di scena che tengono alta l'attenzione del lettore e impediscono di mettere giù il libro! I capitoli scorrono velocissimi man mano che ci si addentra nella storia e si cerca di dipanare il mistero che ne è il fulcro.
Oltre alla storia ben scritta credo che un punto di forza del romanzo siano i personaggi. Spesso in romanzi come questo, un po' alla Dan Brown, i personaggi fanno semplicemente da sfondo alla vicenda, invece in questo caso essi sono parte integrante della storia, inoltre sono caratterizzati benissimo e questo contribuisce alla buona riuscita del romanzo!
Ho apprezzato moltissimo la piega che hanno preso gli eventi e il modo in cui l'autore è riuscito a spiegare perfettamente tutti i misteri e gli eventi inspiegabili che avvengono nel corso della storia. Un romanzo adrenalinico, ricco di misteri e avventura, un degno finale per un'interessante trilogia!
July 19, 2013
The Tower; Simon Toyne, 2013; William Morrow
So I've finished the third book in the Ruin Trilogy and I will tell you'all that The Tower was every bit as good as Sanctus and The Key; not too shabby for a first time author.
That we should all be so favored as to produce such a great story the fist time out of the gate. It's a good thing that I am eternally optimistic or I'd go shoot myself now.
Just kidding!
No not really!
Panic attack aside, I really did enjoy the book and am pleased that I've got another author to add to the list of, 'If so and so wrote it, then I gotta read it.'. Not only were the characters relatable but Toyne keeps the plot percolating even when he's got you flying all over it. Never once did I get motion sickness or feel disorientated by the shifts from character to scene to geography to character again. And I have to give Simon credit for keeping the military jargon to a minimum.
But... and here it comes, my eyes did roll once or twice on the astrophysics part. TMD! And the result was I found myself skipping on... several times. Yet be that as it may, I did find the parts I could follow interesting.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_eSqX...]
Now I may not have agreed with Toyne's theological suggestions or the conclusions he came to, but I can't help but agree with the stories thought provoking questions: Can any religion, be it Christian or otherwise, justify acts of violence or hatred with its writings or claims of authenticity and sovereignty? And where do we draw the line between Freedom of Religion and Homeland Security?
The Tower raised far more questions than it answered, but in the end it was still a really well told story that forced me to choose between my favorite TV program and it. Need I say more?
I also appreciate that Toyne's writing is PG -13 friendly and that I wouldn't be concerned handing it off to my grandchildren to read.
On my scale of 1-5 stars I'm giving The Tower 4 stars for a great story and 3 for tweaking my theology. Just kidding - I gave it 3.5.
So I've finished the third book in the Ruin Trilogy and I will tell you'all that The Tower was every bit as good as Sanctus and The Key; not too shabby for a first time author.
That we should all be so favored as to produce such a great story the fist time out of the gate. It's a good thing that I am eternally optimistic or I'd go shoot myself now.
Just kidding!
No not really!
Panic attack aside, I really did enjoy the book and am pleased that I've got another author to add to the list of, 'If so and so wrote it, then I gotta read it.'. Not only were the characters relatable but Toyne keeps the plot percolating even when he's got you flying all over it. Never once did I get motion sickness or feel disorientated by the shifts from character to scene to geography to character again. And I have to give Simon credit for keeping the military jargon to a minimum.
But... and here it comes, my eyes did roll once or twice on the astrophysics part. TMD! And the result was I found myself skipping on... several times. Yet be that as it may, I did find the parts I could follow interesting.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_eSqX...]
Now I may not have agreed with Toyne's theological suggestions or the conclusions he came to, but I can't help but agree with the stories thought provoking questions: Can any religion, be it Christian or otherwise, justify acts of violence or hatred with its writings or claims of authenticity and sovereignty? And where do we draw the line between Freedom of Religion and Homeland Security?
The Tower raised far more questions than it answered, but in the end it was still a really well told story that forced me to choose between my favorite TV program and it. Need I say more?
I also appreciate that Toyne's writing is PG -13 friendly and that I wouldn't be concerned handing it off to my grandchildren to read.
On my scale of 1-5 stars I'm giving The Tower 4 stars for a great story and 3 for tweaking my theology. Just kidding - I gave it 3.5.
July 14, 2015
L'umanità non deve guardare oltre
Misticismo e avventura si mescolano ancora un volta in un thriller religioso, il nuovo romanzo di Simon Toyne. Il pericolo è imminente: qualcuno vuole scatenare l'apocalisse.
L'’FBI deve indagare su un caso molto particolare: la NASA ha perso il controllo del telescopio Hubble, che ora punta verso la terra. Su tutti i pannelli di controllo si legge un unico messaggio: «L’umanità non deve cercare oltre.»
Tutto ha inizio nel centro spaziale di Goddard.
Poco dopo cominciano a prodursi inquietanti fenomeni naturali e in tutto il mondo la gente prova l’impulso di cercare rifugio tra le mura di casa. La risposta all’enigma si trova a molti chilometri di distanza, in un luogo mitico in pieno deserto, dove Liv Anderson, la donna che incarna un’antica profezia, affronterà la rivelazione finale, custodita per millenni dai monaci della Cittadella di Ruin, per fermare l’apocalisse.
In cammino verso Ruin, oltre a Liv, giornalista, c'è anche Gabriel, ex militare. La loro è una missione. Loro sono a conoscenza di una qualche verità segreta. Nella lotta contro il tempo, per scongiurare l'apocalisse, c'è anche l'agente dell'FBI Shepherd, un giovane super esperto in astronomia e religione, ma anche in tecniche militari. Anche Shepherd, però, ha un segreto. È un personaggio altrettanto misterioso ed interessante.
Lo stile di Simon Toyne è superlativo nel creare la suspense e nel catturare l'interesse dei lettori, mantenendolo per tutta la durata del romanzo che supera le quattrocento pagine. I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e il lettore è portato a patteggiare con loro e a rimanere stupito dai tanti colpi di scena che li coinvolgono. È un ottimo thriller mistico per rivedere le proprie concezioni religiose.
October 9, 2016
Pues bien, sin saberlo, me acabo de leer directamente el tercer volumen de la trilogía, que es como cuando ví los últimos 20 minutos de El Sexto Sentido, ya no tenía sentido ver el resto!!
Lo más curioso es que sin saber nada de la historia me ha gustado y entretenido enormemente la historia. Si que es cierto que había pasajes en la historia de Liv Adamsen que eran como que te faltaba un trozo de historia anterior, pero nada que no te permitiera seguir leyendo y queriendo saber quién era el Nuevo Sancti que manejaba los hilos y que seguía una venganza justiciera y fanática contra el mundo (por mucho que haya mucho entendido por este mundillo blogger que diga que le ha costado leerlo porque no se metía en la historia al haberse publicado un año después de la segunda parte y que ya no era capaz de recordar nada...hay que ver que palurdos somos!)
Una obra de ficción que da escalofríos si pensamos en lo que actualmente está pasando en países de Oriente, donde además de matanzas y represión se está destruyendo cualquier vestigio de la Historia conocida en nombre de un Dios cualquiera.
Una gran novela y me apunto al autor para próximas lecturas. Una pena no haber leído la trilogía completa.
Lo más curioso es que sin saber nada de la historia me ha gustado y entretenido enormemente la historia. Si que es cierto que había pasajes en la historia de Liv Adamsen que eran como que te faltaba un trozo de historia anterior, pero nada que no te permitiera seguir leyendo y queriendo saber quién era el Nuevo Sancti que manejaba los hilos y que seguía una venganza justiciera y fanática contra el mundo (por mucho que haya mucho entendido por este mundillo blogger que diga que le ha costado leerlo porque no se metía en la historia al haberse publicado un año después de la segunda parte y que ya no era capaz de recordar nada...hay que ver que palurdos somos!)
Una obra de ficción que da escalofríos si pensamos en lo que actualmente está pasando en países de Oriente, donde además de matanzas y represión se está destruyendo cualquier vestigio de la Historia conocida en nombre de un Dios cualquiera.
Una gran novela y me apunto al autor para próximas lecturas. Una pena no haber leído la trilogía completa.
January 26, 2014
Audiobook Review
In the final book of the Sanctus Trilogy, Toyne concludes this saga in sheer religious apocalyptic fashion. For readers, you must read Sanctus and the Key for this book to have any coherence. Events in the Key predict much of the outcomes of The Tower.
As a non-conspiracy non-religious reader, I would have had difficulty understanding or appreciating much of the plot without 12 years of Catholic school. Otherwise, I would have quit at book 1.
Toyne's writing is remarkable in flow, character depth, prose, and construction. Narration is superb, and carries a tremendously complex, international saga through highs and lows. However, parts that seemed lacking were the International Political chaos that would have occurred in an apocalyptic scenario. But Toyne focused and perhaps rightfully so on telling the character story.
I would have rated this trilogy a 5 for strength of writing and narration. However, the religious Apocalypse turned me off.
In the final book of the Sanctus Trilogy, Toyne concludes this saga in sheer religious apocalyptic fashion. For readers, you must read Sanctus and the Key for this book to have any coherence. Events in the Key predict much of the outcomes of The Tower.
As a non-conspiracy non-religious reader, I would have had difficulty understanding or appreciating much of the plot without 12 years of Catholic school. Otherwise, I would have quit at book 1.
Toyne's writing is remarkable in flow, character depth, prose, and construction. Narration is superb, and carries a tremendously complex, international saga through highs and lows. However, parts that seemed lacking were the International Political chaos that would have occurred in an apocalyptic scenario. But Toyne focused and perhaps rightfully so on telling the character story.
I would have rated this trilogy a 5 for strength of writing and narration. However, the religious Apocalypse turned me off.
Read
August 29, 201510 January 2015: I won this on a good reads giveaway - thank you. I see I have pulled my usual trick of coming to a series part way through. In this case doing it in style and getting the third and final book first! So I think I'm going to have to track down the other two books and read them first. Sadly this will mean it will be a wee while before I get to reading this.
29 August 2015 Update: I have finished reading the first book in this trilogy, Sanctus now. I've reviewed that one on goodreads. In order to be able to review this book, I would also need to read the second, and then, obviously read this as well. I really didn't enjoy the first and I can not bring myself to read the other two. Life is too short for series of books you don't enjoy. Thank you goodreads for letting me win this copy, but in this case, sadly, I think it should have gone to another reader.
I've obviously not read it, but have set it to 'read' in order to get it off my to-read list.
29 August 2015 Update: I have finished reading the first book in this trilogy, Sanctus now. I've reviewed that one on goodreads. In order to be able to review this book, I would also need to read the second, and then, obviously read this as well. I really didn't enjoy the first and I can not bring myself to read the other two. Life is too short for series of books you don't enjoy. Thank you goodreads for letting me win this copy, but in this case, sadly, I think it should have gone to another reader.
I've obviously not read it, but have set it to 'read' in order to get it off my to-read list.
January 7, 2017
Because I left it so long after reading The Sanctus before I started on The Key that I had forgotten alot of the story, I moved on to The Tower straight after it.
Although I found the concept of The Sanctus a bit hard to believe , once that you had accepted it the story in The Key and The Tower fell into place around it.
I am sure that you pick faults with the plot and the way that the story panned out but, having said that, I enjoyed reading it. Some of the plot seemed a bit overcomplex but I let that gloss over me.
There was sufficient action throughout the story to keep the pages turning . I felt that I managed to picture all of the main characters to such an extent that I could even imagine the cast who should be asked should the series ever make it to the big screen. May be it is a sign of age but whereas at one time, I would imagine myself as Gabriel, now I think more as Dr Kinderman or Arkadian.
Another 4*, I think.
Although I found the concept of The Sanctus a bit hard to believe , once that you had accepted it the story in The Key and The Tower fell into place around it.
I am sure that you pick faults with the plot and the way that the story panned out but, having said that, I enjoyed reading it. Some of the plot seemed a bit overcomplex but I let that gloss over me.
There was sufficient action throughout the story to keep the pages turning . I felt that I managed to picture all of the main characters to such an extent that I could even imagine the cast who should be asked should the series ever make it to the big screen. May be it is a sign of age but whereas at one time, I would imagine myself as Gabriel, now I think more as Dr Kinderman or Arkadian.
Another 4*, I think.
July 5, 2013
When I first began reading the final book in this great trilogy I was not sure I cared for the layout very much. As I got farther into the book though I enjoyed the way it was written and it brought more to the story for me. I feel the author did a great job of pulling all three books together and I thought the ending was original. I found it to be an easy and quick read and greatly enjoyed the whole series.
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